A little more about us
The people behind the photographs
We’re Doug and Courtney, the photographers, and Cadence, our studio manager. Three different personalities, a shared love of making things, and a lot of care for the people in front of the camera.
Our home base is Madison’s Garver Feed Mill. Your story might take us somewhere else entirely. Before we hear about it, here’s a little of ours.
Meet Doug
Doug Weittenhiller
Co-owner, photographer & educator
Live life as a trial by fire
I’m just much more likely to start doing something and figure it out as I go than sit down with the instructions. My background in science and education has given me a technical understanding of photography. And then life’s many adventures challenge me to find the creative stories within.
Courtney and I have been doing this together for 16 years. I still love walking into a place I’ve never photographed and figuring out what I can do with the light. Get everybody laughing, leave a little room to try something unique, and I’m having a good day.
There’s usually a new project going, with some ADHD-fueled hyperfocus behind it. Courtney is very good at pointing that energy somewhere useful. I’m very good at finding new places to point it. Right now, it’s D&D, houseplants, and baseball.
Meet Courtney
Courtney Weittenhiller
Co-owner, photographer & editor
A calmer kind of energy
Before photography, I was an OB nurse. That work teaches you to notice people and help them relax when a lot is happening at once. I still use both, whether I’m photographing a new baby, a family, or a wedding day.
I’m quieter than Doug, but I have plenty of ideas. I love making a photograph and then carrying that feeling through the editing, right down to the small details that make a whole gallery belong together.
We have four kids, so there’s plenty of life outside the studio, too. Give me a fantasy book and a glass of moscato, or some time on a beach, and I’m happy. My Lord of the Rings tattoos probably give away how much I love a good fantasy story.
Meet Cadence
Cadence Dust
Studio manager
A cheerful voice behind the scenes
I have a BFA in illustration, and I’m usually learning or working on something new. Design is a big part of how I see the world.
I’m a pretty chipper person, and I like bringing that energy into the studio. As studio manager, I keep things running behind the scenes, from the details that need organizing to the conversations around your session. Getting to know you is one of my favorite parts of the job.
Outside the studio, you’ll usually find me with a book and my pets. It’s a good way to recharge after a busy week.
On the other side of the camera
We have photographs we wouldn’t trade, too
Our own family photographs are some of our favorites. Life keeps changing, and the pictures of all of us together mean more every year.
Our work has taken us to all 50 states and 20 countries. We love seeing somewhere new, and we’re just as happy close to home.
Doug and Courtney with their family.
Sharing what we know
There’s a teacher in the room
Doug teaches other photographers at conferences like ShutterFest. What he teaches is practical: reading light, working with people, and making the experience feel good.
That carries into your session. You don’t need to arrive knowing how to pose. We’ll explain, give you something to do, and leave room for what happens next.
Our home at Garver Feed Mill
The work keeps going after the camera goes away
We’re a full-service studio. Many of our prints and products are made right here. Our albums are handmade in Portugal by a maker we trust.
It matters to us that the photographs become something you can hold and live with. Come see the prints, look through an album, and talk with us about what belongs in your home. Studio visits are by appointment.
A few of the partners behind our work
Now we’d love to hear about you
Tell us what you’re planning, who’s coming along, and what matters to you. We’ll take it from there.